Kenyans have been discouraged from importing used automobiles to help conserve the environment.
GB Auto Kenya managing director Gaurav Kaul said Kenyans should instead resort to buying locally assembled vehicles arguing that they were brand new, more affordable and environmental friendly.
Kaul spoke during the microbus’ unveiling ceremony at Kenya Vehicles Manufacturers in Thika, Kiambu County on Saturday.
The company unveiled a 14-seater fully microbus assembled in Kenya during the event.
"This is our first ready product,” Kaul said.
He said only 10 per cent of Kenyan vehicles. He said the invention was also intended to help mitigate effects of climate change.
Kaul said the product was a partnership between GB Auto Kenya Ltd, King Long China and KVM.
“The vehicle comes with Euro 4 engine that is in line with the Kenyan government’s vision to have clean environment. It’s the first Euro 4 bus which we have made as right hand drive especially for the Kenyan market.”
Kaul said they had been working on the project for the last 18 months.
“Together with King Long management, we have been working on this project for almost one-and-a-half years to make sure we bring the right product that is suitable for this market, assembled for this market and made by the people from the same market,” he said.
He said the vehicle was fully assembled in Kenya.
“We are witnessing its first rollout. This vehicle isn’t on the road. So, after today’s launch, we will be putting it for public display,” Kaul noted.
He said Kenya Vehicles Manufacturers team had worked hand-in-hand with engineers from King Long who have been in Kenya for close to eight weeks training them for technology transfer and upscaling to enable the former continue assembling the vehicles without the manufacturers’ assistance in the future.
“This is just the beginning. As we go further, we will do more of localization components made in Kenya to manufacture this bus,” Kaul said.
"KVM, we are happy that we are producing locally assembled products which will be good for the economy in terms of job creation, technology transfer and also bringing down car prices," he said.
Kaul said by locally assembling vehicles, they bring down vehicles’ costs thereby making them more affordable.
The microbus commonly known by Kenyans as ‘matatu’ sells at Sh3.5 million.
“We selected King Long because it’s the leading player in bus industry globally. We have seen their performance in other Sab Saharan countries. The vehicle costs Sh3. 5 million cost per unit,” Kaul said.
GB Auto Kenya Limited was established in December 2021.
Kaul said the unveiled vehicle was fully tropicalized and customized for Kenyan environment and terrain keeping in mind the kind of altitude we have in Kenya.
The vehicle has 2. 8 litre diesel Euro 4 engine with a turbo.
The vehicle has zero mileage and has high roof for comfort and a warranty of three years or 100,000 kilometers or whichever comes first.
“High cost of fuel has become a major debate in Kenya. This is the reason we are bringing you this vehicle with a turbo charge engine to give you better fuel consumption.
“Today, a Kenyan consumer has a high end product which is at a higher spectrum in terms of consumption point or, they have an option of buying a used ex- Japan product," Kaul said.
"What we are trying to do is to bridge the gap and provide affordable, quality products to the consumers where they get the full support of warranty, competitively priced spare parts and the feel to drive a brand new vehicle without really affecting much their pockets," he added.
He said the idea is to bring affordable mobility for an average Kenyan consumer.
